CMRC Hosts 'Mental Health Day' for Students

Students were at Central Mississippi Residential Center in Newton Tuesday to learn about mental health.

'Mental Health Day' covers a variety of topics students face, from suicide and alcohol and drug prevention to dating violence and cyber bullying.

Students learned the different warning signs for each, and what they can do to help someone in need. Those involved with the program say it's making a difference to those who attend.

Mental health is something everyone deals with at some point in their lives. While not everyone will need treatment, it is important to recognize the signs that there might be a problem and know where to go to get help.

"It's to educate youth. We focus on eighth and tenth grade students, but it's the intent to help them deal with some of the challenges that they face with understanding mental illness, suicide, alcohol and drug prevention, dating violence, self-injury," said CMRC public relations director Frankie Johnson. "And also now this year we have cyber bullying that's part of the presentation. So it's to help them develop the coping skills and the importance of dealing with these issues that they're confronted with."

There are two main reasons this program is done. Johnson says one is to break down the stigma about mental illness, and the second is to prevent students from making the wrong decision. Students seem to take what is presented to heart.

"I really think it's helpful, because you shouldn't commit suicide, and like, if you know anybody who's trying to commit suicide, you should talk to them and help them, and don't think you should be able to decide it by yourself," said Tavarious Hughes, an 8th grade student at Lake Middle School.

"A bunch of people are going through stuff like that," said Belle Yarborough, an 8th grade student at Lake Middle School. "And I think it's good we're here trying to prevent people at our school from doing that."

If your school wants to be a part, you may call CMRC at 601-683-4200. The center is partnering with Care Lodge, Weems Mental Health, and the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.

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